Clarence C. Knoll (Term of Office 1950 - 1952)

On February 25, 1917, 17-year-old Clarence crossed the border from the U.S. to Canada via North Portal, Saskatchewan, Canada, making the 1400-mile trip with $48 in his pocket. He traveled to Acme, Alberta, Canada to live on a nearby ranch owned by his cousin.

On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany. Clarence wrote home to obtain a copy of his birth papers and later registered for the draft.

After visiting Clarence in Saskatchewan in the spring and summer of 1918, Clarence’s mother, sister and brother-in-law began their trek back to Kansas in September. On their return home, the three became very ill with what they thought were severe colds. Upon arrival in Yankton, South Dakota, they were admitted to the hospital. The flu they had contracted developed into pneumonia and Clarence’s mom and sister died within hours of each other. Clarence’s brother-in-law died a couple of days later. Clarence, who had also contracted the flu, survived the pandemic while living in Canada. The 1918 flu pandemic, “The Spanish Flu,” killed more than 100,000 Americans in one month.

Clarence came back to the United States in November, 1923 and married his wife Adelle "Della" Hoeck in 1929. They lived in Denver where he became the head baker at the Oxford Hotel, and in the mid-1930s, they moved to Federal Heights. By the end of 1941, the United States had entered WWII and Clarence registered for the draft.

Clarence, who was known as C.C., was elected as the third Mayor of the City of Federal Heights on Tuesday, April 4, 1950. He was sworn in with fellow Council Members Thornton Gray, Vernon Jorgenson, Henry Kitzman, Wallace Steadman, Clarence Wilson and Hiram Wolverton. After the election, the Interim Town Clerk Stuart Savery was appointed to start prosecution proceedings against all voters who were challenged in the election because of evidence of election fraud.

While C.C. was Mayor, he and his Town Board agreed that only two beer and liquor licenses be allowed in Federal Heights – one at 9350 North Federal Boulevard (C.O. Butters) and the other at 9000 North Federal Boulevard (Salvatore Lombardi). In November, 1950, the Board rejected an application from the Arvada Electric Company to provide lights and power to the Town for 25 years. The water system’s pipes, meters and pumps were a constant concern for C.C. and his board, and bingos and turkey shoot fundraisers were regularly organized to raise money for the Fire Department. During C.C. Knoll’s two-year term as Mayor, no Ordinances or Resolutions were adopted. Voter registration for the 1952 election was held at the Logdson Service Station at 9800 North Federal Boulevard. C.C. did not run for re-election, though he later served as a director of the North Federal Heights Mutual Water Department. C.C. and his wife, Della, lived at 9170 Elm Court until his death on March 28, 1957. He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Jefferson County.